Ford Mulls New V6 for Next Mustang
Like Coke, the basic recipe for the Ford Mustang's success has remained relatively unchanged since its introduction: a low sticker price, some pretty sheet metal, a V8 (halo-ing for a V6), a live rear axle and an intangible sense of Americana. That hasn't stopped Ford from experimenting with "New Coke" every now and then– you'll recall the Mustang II and the SVO. Well, get ready for more: Motor Trend reports that Ford's suits are considering losing the V8 entirely and inserting the upcoming 3.5-liter V6-TT EcoBoost engine in the 2010 Mustang. The move is no doubt inspired by the same federal regs which have forced GM to consider slotting a turbo-four into the Camaro (and cancelling its DOHC V8 program). On the plus side, the V6-TT engine is slated to make 340hp and a very muscular 340 ft.lbs of torque. These figures easily blow the current V6 used in the Mustang out of the water. In fact, the TT's a match for the 4.6L-liter V8 currently inhabiting the 'Stang GT's engine bay. But can you have a "real" Mustang without offering a V8? And if the new six this becomes the Mustang's top-line engine, could an EcoBoost turbo-four in the base Mustang be far behind? BTW: all those Coke variants didn't up their total market share.
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The Mustang V-8 "legend" is just that, mostly legend. The Mustang as high performance car is a myth created by car rags back in the 80's. The majority of original Mustangs were "secretary's cars". 1/3 of first gen Mustangs came with wheezy inline 6s(170, 200, 250 cube) single barrel carb and cylinder heads with integral cast intakes. I don't think anyone of those 6s produced more than 120 real horses. 85% of the V-8 cars came with two barrel, small block V-8s that produced less than 200 real world horses. An efficient practical new 'Stang would only going back to its original roots.
Just as an aside....the current 4.0 v6 ,while not the most refined beast, still manages 0-60 in 6.3 when equipped with a manual. This is faster than my '89 5.0 and hardly the secretary v6 of the past
its not the absolute power of the turbo that I don't like, its the power delivery nothing matches the power delivery, torque curve and smoothness of a v8, even if it makes less power
As a former 1999 Mustang GT owner and still a current 1984 Mustang SVO 2.3L Turbo owner, I urge Ford to go ahead with at least one EcoBoost option. I don't see any reason not to offer a larger variety of performance Mustangs with varied engine options. Of course, they MUST keep a V8 in the lineup, period. There is no reason to shackle the Mustang to an overly-rigid 'formula' of what a Mustang is supposed to be. The concept needs to evolve, and the idea of an option sheet that would potentially give the choice of the 3.5L V6, EcoBoost 4, EcoBoost 6, and V8 would widen the appeal of Ford's MOST appealing car. Why would product variety /choice a bad thing?